The gift of pride

More than his 34 centuries and 10,000 runs, more than his 96 in Bangalore or his 221 at The Oval, even more than the 774 runs on debut with which he strode into our impressionable minds, Sunil Gavaskar's greatest contribution was to instill pride in a generation brought up on low self-esteem.

Till he came along, with a boyish mop of hair and a defiant attitude beneath, Indians had been told that they could not play fast bowling. India's batsmen, in spite of a legacy of Vijay Merchant, Vijay Hazare, Vinoo Mankad and Polly Umrigar, were the subject of much leg-pulling, especially in England, and young minds in the late sixties and early seventies were convinced by the gullible local media into thinking that anything British was better than everything Indian. In such an atmosphere, Gavaskar started to score runs and told us that an Indian could be the best in his profession. Ten years later, Kapil Dev showed that an Indian could bowl fast. That is why those two are great landmarks in the evolution of Indian cricket.

Gavaskar didn't just stand for pride, he stood for hope too. As long as he was in, India could fight, and the words "Gavaskar out?" were uttered in fear every time the commentator's voice rose amid the crackle on the radio. He was the head and shoulders of India's batting, and unless Gundappa Viswanath produced a piece of artistry, he was often the only symbol of resistance. That is central to any understanding of the way he batted. Apres him, it was le deluge.

Gavaskar's batting style, based on defence, constructed around the best defensive technique in India's cricket history, was a product of his times. If you were a wage-earner in the seventies, you saved every penny you could, you always put aside something for a rainy day. If you had a job you hung on to it for life. Safety and caution were the defining factors of India's middle class, and it was from such a background that Gavaskar emerged.

He gave the first hour to the bowlers and fought to get the next four-and-a-half. He hit the ball along the ground and he built his innings on ones and twos, not fours. That would be extravagant and there would be stinging words if he got out in search of a boundary. It wasn't done. To a generation experiencing the benefits of liberalisation, used to seeing a Sachin Tendulkar symbolising a "spending regime", these might seem strange words. But when Gavaskar was 103 not out at the end of the first day of a Test match, it wasn't considered boring, it was invaluable. Gavaskar was still there and there was hope. If he was an investor, he would put his money in secure Government of India bonds, where a Tendulkar might play the equity markets.

His style was built around an uncanny feel for the off stump. Anything outside was left alone with the patience of a sage, and when the bowler was compelled to move his line closer to the body, he was whipped through the on, or straight-driven in style. That straight drive was a hallmark, and even if the cult commercial of the era talked about Gavaskar perfecting his square drive, it was the straight drive everyone waited for.

His powers of concentration were legendary. Mohinder Amarnath once told me that he thought his partner was in a trance. In a rare interview Gavaskar admitted that he never kept the ball out of sight, following it all the way from the slips to mid-off to the bowler's hand. And he swears it is true that he did not know what his score was when he was batting, for the mind was only focused on the ball, on the next ball. When Javed Miandad apologised for sledging him during the legendary 96 in Bangalore, he smiled back saying he had no idea what was being said. He hadn't heard it.

That 96, his last Test innings, was a masterpiece played on a mass of rubble impersonating a pitch. The spinners were making the ball turn at right angles and jump past the nose. "I thought I would get 10," he later said, and much like Tendulkar's heroic 136 in Chennai 12 years later, the exit of the best batsman was the announcement of the end of the innings. Bishan Bedi, once a great friend of Gavaskar's and then, sadly, a bitter antagonist, admitted once that had Gavaskar been opening the batting in Barbados in 1997, India would have won. (They were bowled out for 81 chasing 120).

Gavaskar's batting, constructed around the best defensive technique in India's cricket history, was a product of his times. If you were a wage-earner in the seventies, you always put aside something for a rainy day. Safety and caution were the defining factors of India's middle class, and it was from such a background that Gavaskar emerged

Three times when Gavaskar was at the top of the order, India scored more than 400 runs in the fourth innings, and to my mind that will remain his most staggering batting contribution. The win in Port-of-Spain in 1976, where, led by an immaculate century from him, India made 406 for 4, is still India's finest moment in a Test match. He made a shaky middle order look better than it was, in much the manner today's openers make a good middle order look worse than it is.

Don't forget either that through the mid-seventies and eighties the standard of bowling in world cricket was awesome. There will probably never be a greater collection of fast bowlers in Test cricket. West Indies could pick any of seven; Australia had Dennis Lillee, Jeff Thomson, Rodney Hogg and Len Pascoe; England had Bob Willis and Ian Botham; New Zealand had Richard Hadlee; and Pakistan had Imran Khan and Sarfraz Nawaz. Opening the batting wasn't the cleverest profession and maybe that is why nobody really stayed long enough with Gavaskar.

He played many innings to remember, including a half-century in 1971 that he rates among his best. I have one, though, that occupies a very special place in my mind. Not the 221, not the 96, not the 101 at Old Trafford in 1974, not the 188 in the Bicentennial Test at Lord's (even though that should be compulsory viewing for anyone who wants to learn how to bat), not even the 236 in Madras. It is the century in Delhi in 1983 against a genuinely great West Indian fast bowling attack, when he pulled out the hook shot for only a day and got to the hundred from a mere 94 balls. That day was magic. There was no self-denial that day, the bowlers weren't given the first hour and it wasn't a middle-class man saving for his family.

He loved his numbers, and in course of time, like everyone else, he will be remembered by those. But they won't tell you that Gavaskar made you proud to be Indian.

Harsha Bhogle is a commentator, television presenter and writer. His Twitter feed is here. This article was first published in Wisden Asia Cricket in 2002

Gavaskar had great technique but he would often provide chances in the slips. I've always remembered him to have provided at least one chance in most of the centuries he scored - I could be mistaken though! When Gavaskar scored a century those days, a school boy's day was made just the same way people feel about a Sachin 100 today. In the 1970s, one could confidently predict that India would lose a wicket every 25 runs on most occasions. Gavaskar - Engineer and Gavaskar - Chauhan were memorable opening partners. Indian family cricket discussions then, involved about who was better Gavaskar or Vish when Vish was at his peak stylish form.

Dimuthu
on September 22, 2010, 9:11 GMT

only seen a few clips of him bat. his stats and tributes show him to be one of the most solid test batsmen ever. would have loved to have seen him bat live. unfortunately, all i've seen/heard are his one dimensional, biased, indian flag waving commentary. So whenever I see him on tv, i go 'ugh'. Shame really, cos i KNOW he was a great batsman. oh well!

Kannan
on September 22, 2010, 9:11 GMT

@Ronita : A million dollars? Hmmm. Spin us another story.

Harsh
on September 22, 2010, 3:41 GMT

He could have won lot of Matches for India, if he was currently batting with Sachin, Dravid, Sehwag and Laxman. Or also He could have had even better records if he had enough batsman who can stay at crease for longer time. He taught Indian batsman how to put price on wicket. Dravid learned the most, so him being not naturally aggressive, he rarly throw his wickets playing adventurous book-outside shots. Tendulkar is naturally aggressive batsman a faster and stronger version of Gavaskar. I still think he gives really good Test Commentary. He is defiantly a Legend I would loved to see bat.

roja
on September 22, 2010, 2:13 GMT

I wonder if he is the same guy who was caught in controversy of million of dollars stashed in his locker in one of the Gym in Mumbai? How that story goes? probably Harsha will throw some light on it??!!who got the money in the end? why was so much hush hush wink wink about that incident?

Joel
on September 21, 2010, 13:56 GMT

I don't know about everyone else, but when it comes to entertaining batting I think of no other way. There is nothing like the satisfaction of seeing a man like Gavaskar walk off the field with 150 runs to his name after watching him walk onto the field many hours - even days - earlier. That goes to any batsman of the type, today's equivalents being maybe Jaques, Hussey and similar. Watching a batsman fend off good bowling, get themselves set, get through the troubling period and slowly just wittle the opposition to nothing cannot be replicated in any other sport and offers the most entertainment for me. Even if it may take days, it is worth it.

That is so much better than seeing a hacker walk to the crease and ply their art. Even if they score a century in a run a ball, they get out just as fast and the next thing you know the rest of the team follows them. Every ship needs an anchor, and that anchor has t be a steadfast run machine that just churns it out at a steady rate.

Varun
on September 21, 2010, 13:26 GMT

He was truly a legend.He got 13 centuries frm 27 tests against WI facing marshals,garners,holdings etc.He has also got 8 centuries against Aus facing Lille n Thomson.Look at his avg against WI 65.45..against d greatest pace attack of all time.He also has an avg of 51.66 against Aus.Against Pak his avg is 58.88...Against d like of Imran Khan n Sarfraz Nawaz, he has 5 centuries..His avg in WI is 70.20 with 7 centuries..wat a player he was.He was pure technician n great timer of d ball..He's d best opening batsman d game has ever seen...ahead of Barry Richards..he was mentally very tough..but i think he's very underrated outside India..n one more thing dis article is not good enough to compliment his legacy...very very poorly written one...

vipin
on September 21, 2010, 9:16 GMT

gavaskar tendulkar & dravid are in same class.... three of them have avarage above 50+.... gavaskar from 1971 and 1975-1980 was at his best.. after dat from 1981-85 his average was just around 41 in 50 macthes, he have 13 test centuries against west indies... but at the starting of 1970's, west indies was rely on spin and not so much on pace, from 1978-80 all the west indian fast bowlers were playing packers cricket.... after dat he dont have much success against west indies except dat 95 ball 100 at delhi.... but overall a class batsman wonderful opener... tendulkar is above little bit overall, coz his one-day record is superior.. but if u chose in tests I think gavaskar is little bit up against tendulkar

Amogh
on September 21, 2010, 8:52 GMT

There was another special inning from Gavaskar in the 1983 West Indies Series. It was the third test in Ahmedabad. In India's first innings Gavasker scored 90. He hit first four balls of Malcom Marshall to boubdaries. Marshall at that time was at his peak and furious most. Boundary on the second ball was awesome. That was a full ball, very very fast. There were no radars at that time - but I am sure it must be aroung 90 MPH. The ball ended somewhere on 6th stump on the off stump and Gavaskar helped it over the third slip to boundary. Only a great batsmen who watches the ball till the very end can play a shot like that.

Dre
on September 21, 2010, 3:10 GMT

He's just quality. Gavaskar could really teach today's batsmen what technique is all about. Look no further than his 4th innings exploits in tougher batting conditions.

Kannan
on September 22, 2010, 9:25 GMT

Gavaskar had great technique but he would often provide chances in the slips. I've always remembered him to have provided at least one chance in most of the centuries he scored - I could be mistaken though! When Gavaskar scored a century those days, a school boy's day was made just the same way people feel about a Sachin 100 today. In the 1970s, one could confidently predict that India would lose a wicket every 25 runs on most occasions. Gavaskar - Engineer and Gavaskar - Chauhan were memorable opening partners. Indian family cricket discussions then, involved about who was better Gavaskar or Vish when Vish was at his peak stylish form.

Dimuthu
on September 22, 2010, 9:11 GMT

only seen a few clips of him bat. his stats and tributes show him to be one of the most solid test batsmen ever. would have loved to have seen him bat live. unfortunately, all i've seen/heard are his one dimensional, biased, indian flag waving commentary. So whenever I see him on tv, i go 'ugh'. Shame really, cos i KNOW he was a great batsman. oh well!

Kannan
on September 22, 2010, 9:11 GMT

@Ronita : A million dollars? Hmmm. Spin us another story.

Harsh
on September 22, 2010, 3:41 GMT

He could have won lot of Matches for India, if he was currently batting with Sachin, Dravid, Sehwag and Laxman. Or also He could have had even better records if he had enough batsman who can stay at crease for longer time. He taught Indian batsman how to put price on wicket. Dravid learned the most, so him being not naturally aggressive, he rarly throw his wickets playing adventurous book-outside shots. Tendulkar is naturally aggressive batsman a faster and stronger version of Gavaskar. I still think he gives really good Test Commentary. He is defiantly a Legend I would loved to see bat.

roja
on September 22, 2010, 2:13 GMT

I wonder if he is the same guy who was caught in controversy of million of dollars stashed in his locker in one of the Gym in Mumbai? How that story goes? probably Harsha will throw some light on it??!!who got the money in the end? why was so much hush hush wink wink about that incident?

Joel
on September 21, 2010, 13:56 GMT

I don't know about everyone else, but when it comes to entertaining batting I think of no other way. There is nothing like the satisfaction of seeing a man like Gavaskar walk off the field with 150 runs to his name after watching him walk onto the field many hours - even days - earlier. That goes to any batsman of the type, today's equivalents being maybe Jaques, Hussey and similar. Watching a batsman fend off good bowling, get themselves set, get through the troubling period and slowly just wittle the opposition to nothing cannot be replicated in any other sport and offers the most entertainment for me. Even if it may take days, it is worth it.

That is so much better than seeing a hacker walk to the crease and ply their art. Even if they score a century in a run a ball, they get out just as fast and the next thing you know the rest of the team follows them. Every ship needs an anchor, and that anchor has t be a steadfast run machine that just churns it out at a steady rate.

Varun
on September 21, 2010, 13:26 GMT

He was truly a legend.He got 13 centuries frm 27 tests against WI facing marshals,garners,holdings etc.He has also got 8 centuries against Aus facing Lille n Thomson.Look at his avg against WI 65.45..against d greatest pace attack of all time.He also has an avg of 51.66 against Aus.Against Pak his avg is 58.88...Against d like of Imran Khan n Sarfraz Nawaz, he has 5 centuries..His avg in WI is 70.20 with 7 centuries..wat a player he was.He was pure technician n great timer of d ball..He's d best opening batsman d game has ever seen...ahead of Barry Richards..he was mentally very tough..but i think he's very underrated outside India..n one more thing dis article is not good enough to compliment his legacy...very very poorly written one...

vipin
on September 21, 2010, 9:16 GMT

gavaskar tendulkar & dravid are in same class.... three of them have avarage above 50+.... gavaskar from 1971 and 1975-1980 was at his best.. after dat from 1981-85 his average was just around 41 in 50 macthes, he have 13 test centuries against west indies... but at the starting of 1970's, west indies was rely on spin and not so much on pace, from 1978-80 all the west indian fast bowlers were playing packers cricket.... after dat he dont have much success against west indies except dat 95 ball 100 at delhi.... but overall a class batsman wonderful opener... tendulkar is above little bit overall, coz his one-day record is superior.. but if u chose in tests I think gavaskar is little bit up against tendulkar

Amogh
on September 21, 2010, 8:52 GMT

There was another special inning from Gavaskar in the 1983 West Indies Series. It was the third test in Ahmedabad. In India's first innings Gavasker scored 90. He hit first four balls of Malcom Marshall to boubdaries. Marshall at that time was at his peak and furious most. Boundary on the second ball was awesome. That was a full ball, very very fast. There were no radars at that time - but I am sure it must be aroung 90 MPH. The ball ended somewhere on 6th stump on the off stump and Gavaskar helped it over the third slip to boundary. Only a great batsmen who watches the ball till the very end can play a shot like that.

Dre
on September 21, 2010, 3:10 GMT

He's just quality. Gavaskar could really teach today's batsmen what technique is all about. Look no further than his 4th innings exploits in tougher batting conditions.

James
on September 21, 2010, 0:52 GMT

I saw Gavaskar bat. It was a revelation, especially the straight drive. It was like watching something in slow motion. You saw how it worked.

S
on September 20, 2010, 23:48 GMT

With due respects to Tendulkar, Dravid, no matter what people say about them, the class of Sunil Gavaskar is unparalleled for his technique, ability to play the highest class of fast bowling and without helmet. Many fans get caught up in the stats for many cricketers,(exclude Sir Don Bradman) but what they forget is the class of batting v/s the class of bowling. None more evident of the Gavaskar era than the Tendulkar era. Today's runs accumulators are mere machines where as Gavaskar is a legend and master of playing fast bowling. If he was a battler and dependable batsman, Sir Richards was the destroyer par excellence

Derek
on September 20, 2010, 23:30 GMT

Spot on -- several English cricketers I know have told me -- without any prompting on my part --that Gavaskar was the best batsman they had seen since the days of Bradman and Hobbs. In particular they remarked on his Oval innings of 221, but also they were struck by the way he could play the truly aggressive pace attacks of his day. It is not for nothing that other great cricketers like Sobers and Botham rank him so highly.
And yes-- he did lead the way for all those very good batsmen we have now.

Alex
on September 20, 2010, 21:54 GMT

Gavaskar was ok. Sehwag is greatest opener india ever produced. Gavaskar was heads and shoulders above his team mates at that time.

Now sehwag , sachin and dravid are all same level with sehwag just ahead followed by sachin and dravid by form.

Because indians used to lose in everything , losing become second nature. So stat is next best thing that indians can achieve.

For western people who brought up in WINNING is only thing , gavaskar, sachin selfishnes go against everything Winners do.

I can give one thing for Gavaskar though he had stout defense. You can't win with gavaskar but you win with sehwag anyday!. :)

varun
on September 20, 2010, 16:43 GMT

@TheOnlyEmperor - thanks dude!

jamshed
on September 20, 2010, 14:50 GMT

Gavaskar is my favourite Indian cricketer.I first saw him during the 1978-79 Pakistan India series.He played some remarkable innings,97 in the second innings at Lahore which almost saved the game and followed it up with twin hundreds at Karachi.He may not have been the most exciting player to watch but in pressure situations,he could play heroic innings.And what a gem that last innings in Bangalore was which almost snatched the game away from Pakistan.In later years,I was impressed by his balanced and fair views in the commentary box.

Mina
on September 20, 2010, 14:06 GMT

Don't know about others, but I was always proud to be an Indian. Maybe my 'Services' upbringing. And yes, Gavaskar only reconfirmed and boosted that feeling of "proud to be an Indian" He is one of India's jewels.
Since this is a piece on Sunny, it won't be out of place to post the link to my "Ode to Sunny" - posted in the ESPNSTAR website on 19th July (for Sunny's 60th birthday)
http://www.espnstar360.com/index.php?option=com_mamblog&Itemid=36&task=show&action=view&id=199&Itemid=36

Praveen
on September 20, 2010, 13:45 GMT

SUNNY is the best indian batsman and the gre4atest opener in the history of the game.He faced the toughest bowling attacks with ease. long live sunny

Kaze
on September 20, 2010, 13:23 GMT

Mike Holding - Best batsmen bowled at: It would depend a lot on the conditions. There were so many good players: Geoffrey Boycott, Sunil Gavaskar, the two Chappell brothers Greg and Ian, and it took different circumstances to get them out. On a flat pitch, Gavaskar seemed immoveable. Ian Chappell in an aggressive mood could embarrass a bowler. But the great technically correct players were Boycott, Majid Khan, Zaheer Abbas the more I think about it, the more batsmen come to mind.

He loves the numbers and always play to make more runs on his name board irrespective of the situation...Go Gavaskar Go.... OOhhh...Here comes Sachin, true legend who plays for the country....

K.
on September 20, 2010, 13:11 GMT

That's why you can't not only compare between eras but also difficult between teams and batting positions. Bradman in his day, Viv,Gavaskar etc in theirs, Tendulkar/Lara in our era....

K
on September 20, 2010, 13:10 GMT

To repeat Bishan Singh Bedi's words, I have a lot of time for Gavaskar the batsman...lots! The following are two of the most memorable images of Gavaskar for me. The first is from 1982, I think, when India was playing against England in Bangalore and, if I'm not mistaken, Gavaskar made 168 that day. I remember Graham Dilley racing in to bowl and digging it in really short, with a fielder waiting hungrily at forward shortleg. And, as usual, Gavaskar got up on his toes and, playing with loose hands, had the ball drop, literally, at his feet. Dilley could only stare back in admiration and, actually, applaud the shot. The second is from the 1978 trip to Pakistan, where Sarfaraz Nawaz bowled a bouncer. Gavaskar's first instinct was to duck, which he did. But, just as he did, he realised immediately that the ball was heading straight for his head. And, so, from his bent-knee position, he simply swayed back a little and let the ball go through. Watching that in slow motion was exhilirating.

Vishwanath
on September 20, 2010, 12:46 GMT

he meant a lot of asian cricket - full stop. most of the sri lankan players that won the 1996 world cup used to receive plenty of advice from sunil gavaskar in the 80's. he was always generous in his advice and is an asian hero. 13 test hundreds against the west indies. without a helmet. for me, this alone, makes him the greatest indian batsman.

Dummy4
on September 20, 2010, 11:43 GMT

Great article that reflects on the original little master:-)

Arunabha
on September 20, 2010, 11:29 GMT

Gavaskar needs to be seen in the context of the times he played. In 1960's, defeat and honorable draw were the norm, and aided by great spinners, he instilled the belief that India was a force as well. Some excellent batsmen in Vengsarkar, Viswanath and Amarnath grew around him. Kapil dev arrived. even then, gavaskar was defensive. One cannot go all out on attack against Holding, marshall and Roberts when one of your opening bowlers is Madan Lal, and Shastri the main spinner. He gave the first hour to the bowler and augmented by giving 15 minutes each before lunch, tea and stumps. It was not infrequent to find him unbeaten on 71 at the end of the day. He grew on draws and india became a dreaded place for test matches, because of flat wickets and no results. After his retirement, in the next eight years there were 3 draws. In his last series there had been 4. He was never a match winner or someone who could turn a match around with the bat, but his contribution to Indian cricket remains

Rahul
on September 20, 2010, 10:30 GMT

Only a true blooded indian could write this article with cricket flowing it his veins..always the wondeful harsha bhogle..KUDOS to him and a bow to the original little master.

K Dani
on September 20, 2010, 10:14 GMT

Good article Harsha.
Sunny side is always up with Sunny. The most appealing aspect of Gavaskar to me is his repsect and affection for Gundappa Viswanath. It tells a lot about what Gavaskar values as a person.
I always regard him as one of the finest cricketing politician who never became a full-time politician. His views on and off the field matters a lot in Indian cricket.
I think he still has a lot to do when it comes to administration. The politician in him tends to favour the administrators and the greatest cricketer in him speaks for the players. He is always in that battle between the two sides of his persona.

Dummy4
on September 20, 2010, 9:39 GMT

That day is etched in my memory. Still smarting from the loss in Kanpur,I'd decided that school was a better refuge than watching another battering on telly. It was in one of the mid-morning breaks that one heard from the stolen-in-to-school transistors, about the first few overs and how the ball was flying, only this time to the boundary!

Decided to duck school right then, slyly slipped out through the playground, hitched a bus ride back home, hopefully in time to catch SMG before he'd got hopefully to his 50; only to find that Dad had done so likewise, ducked office and brought home a couple of colleagues to watch telly!!!

Mom even made some sweets that evening- it was that magical, the effect that knock had on our collective psyche...It was on that day that I'd decided that unlike many of my cousins who'd left the country in droves to study in UK & US universities, I wasn't going any such place..

Vipul
on September 20, 2010, 9:18 GMT

Lovely and Inspiring article Harsha. And I hope that his 36not out in the inaugural WC is remembered more as a statement against a then-blasphemous form of cricket - ODI.

Has this not been written long, long ago Harsha? If i remember correctly, i think i have read this article in a magazine several years back. It talked about who was the greatest Indian cricketer of all time and you chose to pen down for Gavaskar... Exactly same i think. Anyway, was good then and is a good read even now :)

Arnab
on September 20, 2010, 8:31 GMT

I have searched high and low for footage of the 29th hundred off 94 balls, the Bi-centenary match and the 96 in Bangalore. With no success. Can anyone help?

'While I was perfecting my square drive, Palmolive was perfecting my shave!' Oh, those are the memories!

A God!

Amit
on September 20, 2010, 8:28 GMT

No tribute can do justice to the legend called Sunny Gavaskar. Thats because words are simply not enough to express what he meant and means for a whole lot of us who were brought up looking at him as a role-model, as a hero, even though we were non-cricketers. We learnt discipline by watching Sunny bat. We learnt that there will be times in life when things will be rough (the first hour of batting against bowling greats), we learnt that our best efforts may not count to be enough (that innings of 96), and we learnt a great deal more too. But THE THING which Sunny taught us through cricket was that there are no short-cuts in life to success. One has to build your life slowly, concentrating all along, and ensuring that you do not forgo your opportunities. Sunny will remain my ultimate hero. Hats off to him!

aashish
on September 20, 2010, 8:25 GMT

Extremely well written Mr. Bhogle .......... I've been a cricket lover since the age of 5 and am one of those who like to catch every detail about the game ,even old scorecards and ongoing county and Ranji games.........., your in-depth knowledge of the history of Indian cricket is a boon for people like me who absolutely love any piece of information they can get about our rich cricketing past ..........

I sincerely look forward to many more such brilliant articles from you in the days, and months , and years to come !!!

Thank you sir !!
:-)

santosh
on September 20, 2010, 7:16 GMT

YES, I completely agree with Harsha. Gavaskar is one of the Legends of Cricket. Of course he is a great batsman. Apart from being a great technician, he is also a good human being. I want to add some interesting things about Gavaskar. Right now I am watching CLT20. I know and heard Gavaskar commentary. Another distinctive quality Gavaskar holds is that his commentary. I like the way he explains in his commentary how is the batsman playing, bowlers actions and so on. I mean, if you listen his commentary you will be able to understand the game a bit more even if you do not or did not playing cricket. He always tells the players to learn from their mistakes. Often he also explains some tips to all people. I am noting one of the tips he talked. "It is the temperament that tells whether a person is a boy or a man". In my opinion after Richie Benaurd he is the next best commentator in the world right now. I am relishing his commentary and learning from his commentary.

Kannan
on September 20, 2010, 6:52 GMT

It is sad that Harsha has portrayed Sunil only within the context of India. Sunil was a cricket great and let there be no mistake about it!
He was the first man to cross 10000 runs as also the first to cross the 30 century barrier in tests. These may not mean much today but they were huge landmarks to have been achieved in Sunil's days. These become all the more relevant considering that he was an opener facing the fresh new moving ball, that India was nowhere near the top-3 cricketing nations of the time and he never had the batting support in the team to play a lot more freely. Sunil played without the metal hemet and only later on played with something he called the skull cap. Sunil was also a very good slip fielder and very astute and brisk on the field, compared to his many pot bellied team mates. He was a no nonsese person who played for his country first and took poorly to colleagues trying to be populist and parochial.
He made Indians proud because he played with dignity.

Kannan
on September 20, 2010, 6:34 GMT

contd 2...The common Indian man, especially the office goer in the cities, depended on the small portable transistor for commentary in the 1970s. Imagining Sunil play required all the skill given the depressive pessimism exhibited in the commentary on what would happen if Sunil were to get out. The "worst case" scenario expectation plagues radio and tv commentators in India to this day. So, where live telecast wasn't available, it was the radio and the next day's newspaper analysis which moulded the fan's view. Sunil came out much better than the commentator's projections usually...and that's saying something when the others didn't! Sunil fought for player rights with the BCCI, right from treatment to basic allowances. Sunil fought against institutionalised racism in cricket - especially in Eng; was instrumental in bringing in neutral umpires in an era of ridiculously biased umpires; was instrument in transcending cricket politics and calling a spade a spade!

Kamalakanta
on September 20, 2010, 6:22 GMT

I know a lot of fans say "Tendulkar is the best batsman india has even produced". But, for me its Gavaskar.

Kannan
on September 20, 2010, 6:09 GMT

contd 1:
Sunil played the WI greats extremely well, as no other international player did - in India as well as WI. He had sporadic opportunities to play against Lillie and the Packer crowd and that's cricket's loss. While he was conceptually soun on cricket he wasn't as technically sound as SRT. I always found Sunil to be brisk scoring in tests in era when the fast bowlers used to take frightening run ups from close to the boundary line and some 70 odd overs used to get bowled during the day! Unfortunately those of the internet era remember Sunil by his marathon 36no in the 1975WC but then thats their skewed vision of the past. I agree with Harsha, that Sunil was exceptional in that century knock at Delhi against WI who were bowling with venom after the WC loss in the "revenge series" under Clive. Sunil bloomed as a captain in the 1985 Aus series, where he knit the Indian team into a wholseome performing entity as never seen before, much better than the 1983 DEVils! contd..

Kannan
on September 20, 2010, 5:51 GMT

Gavaskar the player was impressive because he was far better than his peers and any who preceded him. He was strong on technique and played with a level head, putting a price on his wicket. If India is a cricket crazy country today, it is thanks to Sunil - Kapil and SRT just built on that foundation. TV viewing was novel and being introduced across metros and cities in the 70s and early 80s and for that gen, Sunil was the hero. Sunil was the mainstay of Indian batting, with Vish contributing once in a while in the 70s - the others just mediocre. Putting up a respectable score and saving a match was everything then! It's in that defensive mindset environ that Sunil bloomed as a fresh flower. His cover drive was awesome. He had mental strength while batting far superior to that of Dravid. He was before the era of the heroes, where people sought to bring him down out of sheer envy - team mates, explayers and admin alike! contd...

Ali
on September 20, 2010, 4:35 GMT

A very well written article. A great tribute to a great contributor to Indian cricket. His on-field duels with Imran Khan are the stuff of legends. Surely one of the all time greats. Arguably the best ever opener in test matches.

Milind
on September 20, 2010, 4:33 GMT

Thanks, Harsha for a lovely piece on the original little master. That Delhi knock was awesome. The previous game Marshall had got him for 0 and 7. A Marshall bouncer had knocked the bat out of his hand when he got that duck! Tongues were wagging - 'Sunny cannot play genuine pace'. Four days later - he played that Delhi innings. Hooking and pulling Marshall bouncers, he almost got a hundred before lunch. Some where in the Doordarshan archives is a tape of the game, and until I can lay my hands on it (Harsha can you try to get it - if it exists you should be able to get it, no?), I will play those memories in my head every time the knock is mentioned.

Ahmad
on September 20, 2010, 4:24 GMT

His childhood hero was Hanif Mohammad and we can say that not many Asians have had better defensive technique to play fast bowling than these two infact not many cricketers I should say. Sunny was the first batting legend from India and was the inspiration for so many children before Tendulkar arrived.

Billy
on September 20, 2010, 4:05 GMT

A true batting legend with a fantastic record against the strongest competitors of his career. Up there with the best opening batsman ever, and has the right to claiming this title on his own. I particularly like his batting style based on solid defence and being technically organised. This is something sadly lacking in many techniques of today's batsman.

Dummy4
on September 20, 2010, 3:56 GMT

One fine piece on the legend that is Gavaskar! Wish the current Generation used atleast a few defensive techniques instead of trying to whack each and every ball they face..

Dummy4
on September 20, 2010, 3:55 GMT

One fine piece on the legend that is Gavaskar! Wish the current Generation used atleast a few defensive techniques instead of trying to whack each and every ball they face..

No featured comments at the moment.

Dummy4
on September 20, 2010, 3:55 GMT

One fine piece on the legend that is Gavaskar! Wish the current Generation used atleast a few defensive techniques instead of trying to whack each and every ball they face..

Dummy4
on September 20, 2010, 3:56 GMT

One fine piece on the legend that is Gavaskar! Wish the current Generation used atleast a few defensive techniques instead of trying to whack each and every ball they face..

Billy
on September 20, 2010, 4:05 GMT

A true batting legend with a fantastic record against the strongest competitors of his career. Up there with the best opening batsman ever, and has the right to claiming this title on his own. I particularly like his batting style based on solid defence and being technically organised. This is something sadly lacking in many techniques of today's batsman.

Ahmad
on September 20, 2010, 4:24 GMT

His childhood hero was Hanif Mohammad and we can say that not many Asians have had better defensive technique to play fast bowling than these two infact not many cricketers I should say. Sunny was the first batting legend from India and was the inspiration for so many children before Tendulkar arrived.

Milind
on September 20, 2010, 4:33 GMT

Thanks, Harsha for a lovely piece on the original little master. That Delhi knock was awesome. The previous game Marshall had got him for 0 and 7. A Marshall bouncer had knocked the bat out of his hand when he got that duck! Tongues were wagging - 'Sunny cannot play genuine pace'. Four days later - he played that Delhi innings. Hooking and pulling Marshall bouncers, he almost got a hundred before lunch. Some where in the Doordarshan archives is a tape of the game, and until I can lay my hands on it (Harsha can you try to get it - if it exists you should be able to get it, no?), I will play those memories in my head every time the knock is mentioned.

Ali
on September 20, 2010, 4:35 GMT

A very well written article. A great tribute to a great contributor to Indian cricket. His on-field duels with Imran Khan are the stuff of legends. Surely one of the all time greats. Arguably the best ever opener in test matches.

Kannan
on September 20, 2010, 5:51 GMT

Gavaskar the player was impressive because he was far better than his peers and any who preceded him. He was strong on technique and played with a level head, putting a price on his wicket. If India is a cricket crazy country today, it is thanks to Sunil - Kapil and SRT just built on that foundation. TV viewing was novel and being introduced across metros and cities in the 70s and early 80s and for that gen, Sunil was the hero. Sunil was the mainstay of Indian batting, with Vish contributing once in a while in the 70s - the others just mediocre. Putting up a respectable score and saving a match was everything then! It's in that defensive mindset environ that Sunil bloomed as a fresh flower. His cover drive was awesome. He had mental strength while batting far superior to that of Dravid. He was before the era of the heroes, where people sought to bring him down out of sheer envy - team mates, explayers and admin alike! contd...

Kannan
on September 20, 2010, 6:09 GMT

contd 1:
Sunil played the WI greats extremely well, as no other international player did - in India as well as WI. He had sporadic opportunities to play against Lillie and the Packer crowd and that's cricket's loss. While he was conceptually soun on cricket he wasn't as technically sound as SRT. I always found Sunil to be brisk scoring in tests in era when the fast bowlers used to take frightening run ups from close to the boundary line and some 70 odd overs used to get bowled during the day! Unfortunately those of the internet era remember Sunil by his marathon 36no in the 1975WC but then thats their skewed vision of the past. I agree with Harsha, that Sunil was exceptional in that century knock at Delhi against WI who were bowling with venom after the WC loss in the "revenge series" under Clive. Sunil bloomed as a captain in the 1985 Aus series, where he knit the Indian team into a wholseome performing entity as never seen before, much better than the 1983 DEVils! contd..

Kamalakanta
on September 20, 2010, 6:22 GMT

I know a lot of fans say "Tendulkar is the best batsman india has even produced". But, for me its Gavaskar.

Kannan
on September 20, 2010, 6:34 GMT

contd 2...The common Indian man, especially the office goer in the cities, depended on the small portable transistor for commentary in the 1970s. Imagining Sunil play required all the skill given the depressive pessimism exhibited in the commentary on what would happen if Sunil were to get out. The "worst case" scenario expectation plagues radio and tv commentators in India to this day. So, where live telecast wasn't available, it was the radio and the next day's newspaper analysis which moulded the fan's view. Sunil came out much better than the commentator's projections usually...and that's saying something when the others didn't! Sunil fought for player rights with the BCCI, right from treatment to basic allowances. Sunil fought against institutionalised racism in cricket - especially in Eng; was instrumental in bringing in neutral umpires in an era of ridiculously biased umpires; was instrument in transcending cricket politics and calling a spade a spade!

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